Thursday, May 16

THURSDAY, MAY 16, 2019

In concert with yesterday's reading, we discover today in John 8 several crucial truths about the nature of discipleship, the nature of the Son and the Father, and the conflicting kingdoms of God and the evil one.

This discourse begins with the Jewish leaders' question of "Who are you?"  Jesus explains that we may know Him in relation to His Father.  His obedience to the Father shone through His conduct, including His love and miraculous power, and His words, which were intentional and full of grace and truth.  The Jewish leaders, skeptical initially of Jesus, became enraged when He claimed this vital connection with His Father. In fact, Jesus draws out the point that:

"If God were your Father, you would love me, for I have come here from god.  I have not come on my own; God sent me.  Why is my language not clear to you?  Because you are unable to hear what I say.  You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desires.  He was a murdered from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for their is no truth in him.  When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.  Yet because I tell the truth, you do not believe me!"

Jesus presents the striking distinction that there are conflicting truth claims coming from the evil one and from God Himself.  Jesus's submittedness to the Father's will guaranteed His truthful testimony, but those who chose to align against Him would not understand His teaching because of being caught up in the confusion of the devil's lies.  For this reason, as we seek to share spiritual truth with our family, friends, and neighbors, we seek God's wisdom and that God would open hearts out of His love and by the Spirit's power.  We can't expect spiritual breakthroughs in someone's life if the truth can't pierce through the veil of lies.

To close out Chapter 8, Jesus throws the Jewish leaders into a tizzy by suggesting that He had pre-existed Abraham!  While Jesus's statement rings true to us, the listeners that day must have been apoplectic.  How could this unsanctioned teacher make such a claim?  They doubled-down on their initial question of "Who are you?"—"Who do you think you are?"

From this dialogue and others, we understand that Jesus makes far-reaching claims of Who He is and the implications of these claims.  He promises freedom for those who follow His commands and embrace the truth.  And He underscores the conflicting world systems, led by God the Father and the father of lies.

We must ask ourselves each day:  Where will we stand?  Whom will we embrace as our Father?  Which way are you aligning today?

Lord God, thank You for the great revelation You share through this dialogue of Your Son with the Jewish leaders.  Help us to see where we fall short of embracing You as Father and where our minds are twisted by the lies of the evil one.  Make us into faithful disciples who are hungry to follow You.  Set us free by Your truth so that we may honor and glorify You.  In Jesus's mighty Name, amen.